Google Nexus 5 stock runs out within hours of opening sale

Nexus 5, the much talked about Google phone that had listed on the Play Store since last month, is not available for purchase through Google Play (Google's online store) or from local retailers.

Considering that the stocks ran out within hours, Google must have underestimated the demand for the device, according to commentators.

Shortly after sale of the device opened, the Google Play Store displayed the message: "We are out of stock. Please check back soon."

The number of units sold could not, however, be ascertained.

The 16 GB variant of the Nexus 5 is priced at Rs28,999 while the 32 GB version sells for Rs32,999 on the Play Store. In retail stores, the manufacturer of the device, LG, is also pushing sales, where the 16GB variant costs Rs1,000 more, being priced at Rs29,990, though very few units have been shipped in yet.

The device runs on Android 4.4 KitKat and features a 4.95-inch full HD display. It comes with a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, an 8 MP rear camera with OIS, as also a 2,300mAh battery with connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, etc.

Meanwhile, Firstpost reports that LG's G2 is priced closest to the Nexus 5, at Rs41,500 for a 16 GB version, while a 32 GB version of the smart phone costs Rs44,500. Both versions of the G2 are retailing for under Rs40,000 online with Flipkart offering the 32 GB version for Rs40,490 while the 16 GB version is priced at Rs37,999.

Meanwhile, Apple is selling the 16 GB iPhone 5c at Rs41,900 and 32GB variant at Rs53,500. iPhone 5s is retailing at Rs53,500 (16GB), Rs63,500 (32 GB) and Rs71,500 (64 GB).

The report said that for now in terms of premium smart phones by top brands, the Nexus 5 was clearly the cheapest.

However, there was no reason to be disappointed if one could not pick up the phone up on the Google Play store. Local Delhi retailers had also told Firstpost that they would get the device by this evening.

According to Infibeam, the device was available for Rs29,990 while on Junglee (Amazon) there were slight discounts. On Snapdeal, however, the device was listed as being sold out, while it was listed as 'not available' on Flipkart.